New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-19
MUSIC-THE DRAMA.
MADAME PATTI IN CARMEN

The attitude OF the public toward Madame PATHS
Carmen which seen for the first time In
America at the Metropolitan Opera House last night
Afforded almost interesting study as the imperso-
nation The opportunities which the people OF this
country have had to the admired singer in roles
outside of the hurdy gurdy Italian list have been ex-
ceedingly few and'@ Carmen waited tor with
eager curiosity. The intensity OF the Interest feit
cannot be better illustrated than it s by the tact that
in spite of the unoward weather the great audience
room was crowded. 1he subscription sales were
larger by several hundred dollars than for any even
ing of last week and the spectators disposed OF all
the tickets which they had purchased. 10 the man
ayers the audience it is safe to say, represented re-
ceipts aggregating perhrps something over looo.
But the opera patrons of New-fork have been
undergoing peculiar course OF aesthetic training OF
late and the circumstance that they had PAID SO
much money to hear Madame Patti in Q new role did
not bring with it the corollary that her performance
was to be accepted with enthusiasm or even without
demur. Time was when this would have been q
matter of course but last night those who were in an
observing frame of mind saw the most eminent, and
in technical sense the greatest singer in the world,
win her way by dint OF downright effort and slowly
to moderate degree OF pushc appropation' inc
erormance was in nothing more unique than ~ the
fact the entire first act passed Oh without evoknS
n single moderate tribute OF AL ause and that tho
curtain would have fallen ia dead silence had 1t not
been TOR the kind but dsneresed services OF the
occupants OF q single box. 49, ,
Our experience with representations OF Bizers
to this case Wien before did the bewtrhlng
Havanrse melody and the insinuotn9 Spanish dance
tune fail to win hand The circumstance was
startling, almost bewildering Fortunately tor the
work. more fortunateIy tor Madame Patti ana mUst
fortunately tor the public the second act awoke the
chord OF sympathy and the pleasure OF the audience
became manifest
With this simple statement OF facts we leave
study OF the question mooted concerning the cnahged
attitude of the public to those who fee! inclined to
make it, One or two obvious conclusions would in no
manner decrease the respect in whicl last nights
audience might be held. Madame PATHS Carmen
4, not an impersonation which, like her yocaHat0n,
must unquaifedly command admiration. 1t does
not disclose matured ideal either on its hstronc or
its musical side. To the eye it presents most b.
witcng personality, and some OF It's coquettlsh ee-
niens are amiable But character it is shallow
and immature. VOcally it does not iii the singer so
well had imagined it would alter observing the
progress of her voice downward. But greater oD-
staclo the wa of her bringing forth the create OF
Bze and HIS colaborators is her want of sympathetic
spiritual interest in the work. Carmen" with de-
fecs that no one has tried conceal is full OF
dramatic vitality. Its characters are not high types
in any and the sentiments TO which 1t gives ex
preston do not belong to the class the contemplation
OF which serves good ends. But the characters and
their motive passions are delineated with admaoie
potency in unconventional way. Carmen Is
not old style operate maronette. 10 present the
character calls subtle acting and expressive sung
Ing dramatic singing in the modern sense Madame
Patti IS peerless singer pure and simple, and the
world has recognized her unique gifts III the type OF
comedy represented by Rossnrs " Barber, ana
" Crispino c Ia Comare, OF ihe brothers Ricci But
ner artistic instincts anu sympatni"s 10 NOV 70 ous
toward a work which requires such 'areo nice ana
consistent histrioDic aud musical expression as
{" Carmen" The concerted music mad no interest Tor
her. and IN her acting she touched only the edge OF
that sinister element which has much to do with
dete rmlnng the character. Her vocal and personal
sraces her archness and pretty coquetres were the
only features OF her imporsonation that deserved
warm praise. .
Miss Grswold sang the part Of Micaela " with so
much taste and truthful feeling that had her voice not
lost its vitality she would deserve praise than
any OF the Others i'll the east.
Del Puenie was as dashlng and popular as ever. AS
for the performance IA whole, it was married by
he chorus that vast deal o patience required to
note ITS good features. Madame Cayalazz deserves
mention however, and so do Miss Groebl |
I" Mercedes and Sgnor Nicni, g. Don Jose. the
orraer for mild opment the latter for repro baton